Strengthen Relationships

Relationships that Help Our Kids Grow

Every family can build the kind of relationships that help kids thrive in life. We do this through the everyday ways we care for our family members.

Search Institute has been asking parents and kids about their relationships. What are they like? Why do they matter? What makes a difference?

What Are Developmental Relationships?

Out of this research grew the framework of developmental relationships. It identifies five relationship strategies that help kids feel motivated and do their best.

We asked 1,085 parents of 3 to 13 year olds from across the United States1 about these different actions. As you can see in the chart to the right, most parents say they Express Care, Challenge Growth, and Provide Support to their kids. However, fewer than half say they Share Power and Expand Possibilities.

Why Do These Relationships Matter?

When parents report that they have stronger relationships with their children, they are also more likely to say that their children are on track to thrive (see chart with circles). Thriving means being hopeful, goal-oriented, and having a sense of purpose. Children whose parents use the developmental relationships strategies are more likely to: